DVD-RAM 4430/4530 Features

["Rick Nardone" <rick@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Is anyone using these read/write devices?  We are considering them but are
curious what any raves/pitfalls experienced with or opinions of them
regarding:

- Application/Data Backups (SAVLIB, SAVOBJ, etc)
- System Backups (SAVSYS, etc)
- Saving Save Files (SAVSAVFDTA)
- IFS Backup (SAV)
- Support for long file names?
- Usability to read/write via Wintel platform via QNTC share
- Alternate IPL source for SAVSYS
- Compatibility with PC type RW devices.  Can they be read from/appended to
from a PC device CD/DVD once formatted/written to by the iSeries.

Also:
- Does OS/400 provide support to span multiple CD's?
- Can you leave the CD open to append data to a volume?
- Stats on Transfer rates/Access rates.  I found information noting capacity
of 4.7GB, but nothing on rates.
- Media Cost: Standard Media prices or IBM Proprietary CD?


Thanks for any info...


Rick Nardone
Middleburgh Telephone